Donate to the Friends of the Lied
With donation levels beginning at $50, it’s easy to enjoy exclusive Friends opportunities.
- Friends help ensure world-class performing arts are available in the KU and Lawrence communities.
- Your donation helps keep ticket prices affordable for our community.
- Friends help the next generation of performing arts lovers experience the best in children’s programming for free.
- We SPOIL our Friends!
Kelli SzrotDon't Wait!
Become a Friend today.
Friends Benefits
We spoil our Friends! Invest in the arts and in our community.
Ticket sales provide less than 40% of the funds necessary to bring world-class artists to Lawrence. Your generous financial contribution is critical to the Lied Center and helps make our community a wonderful place to live. Friends of the Lied donations start at $50 and are 100% tax-deductible.
- NEW! Opportunity to host a Lied Loves Lawrence Pop-up performance at a location of your choice
Plus all benefits in levels below
- 20% discount on full season and performance packages
- 20% Single performance ticket discount
- Meet and greet with a Lied Center Series artist before or after a performance (as available)
- Special program recognition at a Friends-sponsored event
Plus all benefits in levels below
- 20% discount on full season and performance packages
- 20% Single performance ticket discount
- Reserved parking for Lied Center Series performances
- One free use of the Lied Center's meeting and reception spaces (some restrictions apply)
Plus all benefits in levels below
- 15% discount on full season and performance packages
- 15% single performance ticket discount
- Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, anytime prior to Lied Center Series performances
- Invitation to Intermezzo-complimentary refreshments during intermission at Lied Center Series events
Plus all benefits in levels below
- 15% discount on full season and performance packages
- 15% single performance ticket discount
- Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, one week + before to Lied Center Series performances
- Invitation to education activities and receptions (as available)
Plus all benefits in levels below
- 10% discount on full season and performance packages
- 10% single performance ticket discount
- Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, two + weeks before Lied Center Series performance
- Invitations to exclusive Friends-only events
Plus all benefits in the level below
- 10% discount on full season and performance packages
- Access to Friends window at the Ticket Office
- Advance ticket purchase
- Pre-sale ticket offer for performances added after the season announcement (if artist allows)
- Opportunity to purchase tickets to the Friends of the Lied exclusive Just Friends Jazz Series
- Same season-to-season seat location for traditional season packages, during Friends pre-sale (not applicable to "Choose Your Own" series)
- Recognition in the Lied Center Series performance programs
- Access to Lied Center e-newsletters
By becoming a Friend of the Lied, your business can help bring the highest quality performances and meaningful education and community outreach programs to Lawrence. An investment in the Lied Center can also enhance your community exposure, client entertainment opportunities and a variety of marketing opportunities.
Friends of the Lied donations start at $100 and are 100% tax-deductible.
- Company name and recognition at a Friends-sponsored event
- 20% discount on full season and performance packages
- 20% Single performance ticket discount
- Meet and greet with a Lied Center Series artist before or after a performance (as available)
- Special program recognition at a Friends-sponsored event
Plus all benefits in levels below
- Company name and link placement on Lied Center website
- One free use of the Lied Center's meeting and reception spaces (some restrictions apply)
- 20% discount on full season and performance packages
- 20% Single performance ticket discount
- Reserved parking for Lied Center Series performances
Plus all benefits in levels below
- 50% discount on the use of the Lied Center's meeting and reception spaces (some restrictions apply)
- 15% discount on full season and performance packages
- 15% single performance ticket discount
- Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, anytime prior to Lied Center Series performances
- Invitation to Intermezzo-complimentary refreshments during intermission at Lied Center Series events
Plus all benefits in levels below
- 15% discount on full season and performance packages
- 15% single performance ticket discount
- Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, one week + before to Lied Center Series performances
- Invitation to education activities and receptions (as available)
Plus all benefits in levels below
- Company name in Lied Center Series performance programs
- Company name on signage in lobby
- 10% discount on full season and performance packages
- 10% single performance ticket discount
- Free ticket exchange, or Lied Center Series credit, two + weeks before Lied Center Series performance
- Invitations to exclusive Friends-only events
VIP Sponsors make a significant donation to the Lied Center because they recognize the importance of the performing arts to our community. VIP Sponsors not only have the satisfaction of supporting the arts, they enjoy a valuable marketing opportunities.
VIP Sponsor Opportunities
Marketing value:
- Recognition on the Lied Center’s electronic sign at 15th and Iowa
- Recognition in Lied Center Series performance programs, including a full page color advertisement
- Recognition in advertising for the event and in the performance program
- Recognition on stage before the performance
- Recognition (logo) on performance tickets
Additional performance-related opportunities may include the following:
- 20% discount on Lied Center Series performances all season
- Complimentary tickets and reserved parking during the performance
- A private reception for up to 30 guests in conjunction with the performance
Letter from the Board President
Beverly Smith Billings, 2026–27
Welcome to the Lied Center’s 33rd season! There is something for everyone in this season’s diverse programming. Since attending The Secret Garden for the Lied Center’s opening night in 1993—a beautiful beginning to an extraordinary future—I have seen countless world-class artists grace their stage. But the Lied Center is much more than a performance venue. Building community is at its core.
The KU and Lawrence communities thrive together through the Lied Center, with employment and performing-arts opportunities for students, and meaningful experiences for the public to enjoy. Initiatives including school-only performances, Third Grade Theatre Arts Day, Preschool Performing Arts and Lied Across Kansas bring arts education to the next generation. Various partnerships and collaborations create enriching events such as the KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival. Momentous celebrations happen in this space, from graduations to dance recitals to naturalization ceremonies.
Friends of the Lied play a vital role in bringing these powerful community connections to life, and they also receive special benefits, including advance ticket sales, discounts and more. I hope you will consider becoming a Friend of the Lied, if you aren’t already!
As we look forward to the upcoming season, I would like to personally invite you to join us at the Lied Center—a place where everyone belongs.
Warmly,
Beverly Smith Billings
Friends of the Lied board president
2026-27 VIP Sponsors
